Army Selects New Top NCO to Replace Chandler

The U.S. Army announced today that Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey will replace Sgt. Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III as the service's top non-commissioned officer.

"We have the utmost confidence in Command Sgt. Maj. Dailey and look forward to having him join our leadership team," Secretary of the Army John McHugh said in an Army release.

"His experience, leadership, devotion to soldiers and commitment to our Army make him especially suited to assume this important duty, one that Sgt. Maj. of the Army Chandler has masterfully performed for the last four years."

Chandler will remain in the post until Jan. 30 when Dailey will be sworn in as the 15th sergeant major of the Army during a ceremony at the Pentagon.

"I'm passionate about the Army, and I'm passionate about taking care of soldiers," Dailey said in the release. "This is truly a humbling opportunity."

Dailey is currently the command sergeant major for U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. A native of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, Dailey is a combat veteran with four deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation Desert Storm. He was a command sergeant major for most of those tours, responsible for training, leading, mentoring and developing soldiers into leaders, Army officials said.

Dailey's awards include a Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman's Badge and Combat Infantryman's Badge, according to the release. Dailey graduated at the top of his class from Excelsior University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Dailey epitomizes the competence, character and commitment we require of our soldiers and leaders," said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno. "I have every confidence in his ability as a visionary leader to help guide our Army through this time of great complexity and rapid change – he is a trusted Army professional."

Dailey will serve as the Army chief of staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. Much of his time will be spent traveling throughout the Army to observe training and talk to soldiers and their families.

The sergeant major of the Army recommends quality-of-life improvements to Army leadership and sits on councils that make decisions affecting enlisted soldiers and their families. The SMA also routinely testifies before Congress on these issues. Dailey will be the public face of the U.S. Army's NCO Corps, representing the corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements, according to the release.

"I'm confident Command Sgt. Maj. Dailey will provide good counsel to the secretary and chief as he has a track record of being a steadfast advocate for soldiers and families," Chandler said in the release. "Throughout my tenure, I have counted on his support and advice, especially in the areas of leader development and the Army profession."